Pneumothorax

What is pneumothorax?

Pneumothorax is a condition in which air in the lungs leaks out through holes in the lung tissue into the spaces outside the lung airways. Pneumothorax is one type of a group of lung disorders called air leak syndrome. A baby can have more than one form of air leak. Types of air leaks include the following:

Pneumothorax. Air leaks into the space between the chest wall and the outer tissues of the lungs.

Pneumomediastinum. Air leaks into the mediastinum (the space in the thoracic cavity behind the sternum and between the two pleural sacs containing the lungs).

Pneumopericardium. Air leaks into the sac surrounding the heart.

Pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE). Air leaks and becomes trapped between the alveoli, the tiny air sacs of the lungs.

Air leaks may come on suddenly or may develop gradually. The degree of illness depends on the location of the leak, how quickly the leak occurs, and the amount of air.

What causes pneumothorax?

Air leaks occur when the alveoli (tiny air sacs) become overdistended and burst. Pressure of the air delivered by mechanical ventilators (breathing machines) is the most common cause. Meconium aspiration (inhalation of the first stools passed in utero) can also trap air and lead to overdistention (the lungs expand too much) and air leaks. Air leaks often occur in the first 24 to 36 hours when lung disease is at its peak. Some otherwise healthy babies can develop a "spontaneous" air leak that does not cause symptoms or distress.

Who is affected by pneumothorax and air leak syndrome?

Babies most at risk for pneumothorax are:

Babies with other lung diseases such as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), also known as hyaline membrane disease (HMD)

Babies on mechanical ventilators

Premature babies whose lung tissues are more fragile

Babies with meconium aspiration, because the meconium plugs the airways, causing areas of the lungs to collapse

What are the symptoms of pneumothorax and other air leaks?

The following are the most common symptoms of pneumothorax. However, each baby may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

Removal of the collected air by insertion of a chest tube (a needle or catheter placed through the chest wall into the air space). The air may be withdrawn with a syringe or the tube connected to a drainage system to help remove the air until the leak can seal.

Spontaneous air leaks that do not cause symptoms or distress may get better on their own without treatment. As the leak seals over, air is absorbed into the body.

There are no specific treatments for pneumomediastinum and pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE), as these air leaks are in spaces that cannot be treated with chest tubes. High frequency ventilation, a special kind of mechanical ventilation, is sometimes used for babies with PIE.

Prevention of pneumothorax and other air leaks

Despite careful regulation of the air pressure and the settings on mechanical ventilators, air leaks can still occur. Your baby's doctor and other health care providers in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) will watch your baby carefully for signs of air leak so that treatment can be started as quickly as possible.